For an end-of-the-year celebration, Ward 4 Selma Council member Angela Benjamin and other s hosted the Ward Four Next Level Celebration’s Downtown Art Walk and Movie with the Mayor on Friday evening.

The mayor’s movie for this year was The Polar Express at the Performing Arts Center.

“We are promoting art work in Selma,” Benjamin said. “We’re promoting shopping in Selma.”

Local artists Nokuthula Ndebele, Angelita Simmons, Vicky Stoudenmire and Charlie Lucas displayed their work at the event.

“I needed to see what makes this town tick,” Lucas said. “Being an artist, I needed to see what’s out in the community. I’m out in the world telling people about the art and what art can for this community.” Lucas has 40 pieces displayed in The Frame Shop and six pieces displayed at the event.

Marcus Turner enjoyed seeing Lucas’s paintings. Although the hot drinks along the way helped, Turner is not sure if he will return to the event next year.

“Its kind of cold,” Turner said.

This year’s mission of Ward 4 was organization and commitment, a theme Benjamin believes the event exemplifies. Next year Ward 4 will focus on collaboration and partnership.

Selma High School Choir members sang opening songs and later had a sing-along and the Selma High School band played outside of City Hall.